Category: Featured Headlines

The Archbishop of Colombo, His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, says investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks are making progress under the current government.

Addressing the special mass held this morning to mark seven years since the attacks, the Archbishop noted that certain factions are attempting to obstruct the investigations.

He expressed regret over the Attorney General and his Department delaying action despite directives from the Presidential Commission to initiate proceedings against officials, including Presidents, Defence Ministry officials, and Police, who failed to carry out their duties in connection with the attacks.

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith further stated that it is essential for the Criminal Investigations Department to investigate individuals directly or indirectly involved in the attacks, irrespective of their status.

“Finding the mastermind of the Easter attacks is ensuring justice and upholding the fundamental rights of the victims and their families,” he said.

The Archbishop also called on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to fulfil his promise made at Katuwapitiya Church in October 2024 that the government would not allow the truth to fade with time.

He urged the President to conduct a comprehensive, truth‑based investigation to uncover the reality behind the 2019 Easter attacks, adding that they hope current efforts will be continued.

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith stressed that their struggle for justice will not end until the truth is revealed.

Indian Navy Ship Nireekshak has arrived at the port of Colombo in Sri Lanka for an operational turnaround (OTR) and a training visit on Tuesday, the Sri Lanka Navy said.

“Commanded by Commander Sailesh Kumar Tyagi, this Diving Support Vessel in Sri Lanka is set to conduct a training programme with the diving professionals of the Sri Lanka Navy.”

The crew is set to participate in several activities organized by the Sri Lanka Navy.

They will also visit some tourist attractions within the country, the navy said.

India’s vice president C P Radhakrishnan has just concluded a visit to the island nation where he met government and opposition political members.

The United Nations urged Sri Lanka on Tuesday to deliver concrete results after long-running investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday suicide bombings that killed 279 people, including 45 foreigners.

The UN’s top envoy to the country, Marc-Andre Franche, said survivors and families of victims were still waiting for answers, despite multiple probes and renewed political pledges following the formation of a new government in September 2024.

“Public commitments by the government to pursue justice are important and must be welcomed,” he said, as the nation marked seven years since the bombings on Tuesday.

“But what matters now is results,” he said at a remembrance service in Colombo.

Islamist bombers struck three churches and three hotels on April 21, 2019, in the island’s deadliest ever attack on civilians.

Several investigations, including a parliamentary probe, have pointed to the involvement of state intelligence units.

In October 2021, Sri Lanka’s state prosecutor indicted 25 people, accusing them of being co-conspirators in the bombings. The case is ongoing.

Police enquiries took a new turn in February with the arrest of the former head of the State Intelligence Service, retired army major general Suresh Sallay, who is accused of aiding and abetting the attackers.

Sallay has denied the allegations and is being held under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.

At a remembrance ceremony at St. Anthony’s Church, where 51 people were killed, Catholic leader Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said political interference had obstructed justice.

“An honest search for the truth behind some of the murders, disappearances and acts of corruption has become extremely difficult due to political interference and lying,” he said.

Security was tight at the commemoration, with armed military personnel guarding the church as diplomats and religious leaders observed two minutes of silence following the ringing of church bells.

Source: AFP

Ship-tracking data indicates that a crude oil tanker intercepted by the US military in the Indian Ocean made a sharp change of course in the early hours of this morning and is now broadcasting its position around 700km (430 miles) south-east of Sri Lanka.

According to data from MarineTraffic, the crude oil tanker *Tifani*, which has a carrying capacity of nearly 300,000 tonnes, is currently loaded with cargo.

The vessel has been sanctioned by the Office of Foreign Assets Control and is linked to an Indian shipping company that is also subject to US sanctions over alleged ties to Iran.

Tracking data shows that the tanker departed the Gulf region on April 10 and made a brief stop near Sri Lanka’s southern port of Galle on April 18 before being intercepted by US forces.

It was previously expected to reach its reported destination of Singapore on Sunday, according to MarineTraffic.

A crude oil tanker is scheduled to arrive in the country today, marking the first such arrival since the outbreak of the Middle East conflict.

Mayura Netthikumarage, Managing Director of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, said the tanker will carry 97,500 metric tons of crude oil.

He also said that three more fuel tankers are expected to arrive in the country this month.

Meanwhile, an American crude oil tanker is scheduled to arrive in the country late next month.

Mayura Netthikumarage added that the vessel is currently being refueled.

He said it will take 45 days to reach the country.